There are some great walks in Otago and Southland, including the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler and Rakiura Tracks. Hamish McNeilly reports on the growing popularity of the walks by domestic and overseas tourists.
Good advice when tackling the Milford Track - leave the trolley at the supermarket.
Department of Conservation programme manager for visitor assets Ross Kerr, of Te Anau, said several years ago, one Asian visitor thought they would try pushing a supermarket trolley full of their gear along the track, but was stopped by staff.
"The odd thing like that can happen on the walks from time to time."
The Milford Track is one of several Great Walks in Otago and Southland, including the Routeburn, Kepler and the Rakiura Tracks.
The Milford Track, with 42,800 guest nights, was the second most popular Great Walk in the country after Abel Tasman, which recorded 60,956 bed nights last season.
The Routeburn Track recorded 32,400 bed nights, the Kepler Track 20,099, and the Rakiura Track 3097.
Mr Kerr said the Milford, Routeburn and Kepler tracks continued to be popular, with nearly 50,000 bed nights booked this season.
Of the 48,058 bed nights booked, 20,895 have been sold for the Milford Track, which is ahead of the corresponding period last year.
Bookings for the Routeburn, at 15,656 bed nights, were similar to the corresponding period last season, and Kepler numbers down slightly to 11,507.
Kepler numbers were down due to snow and avalanches in November, which led to closures at the start of the season, he said.
"If you want to do a walk this season, then the Kepler is your best bet . . . there is plenty of space."
Trampers tended to be an even split between domestic and international tourists, with Australians, Americans and British walkers visiting.
The Great Walks season was from the end of October to the end of April, with the start of this season marred by poor weather conditions, which led to the department flying people over weather-affected portions of the tracks.
Trampers had been flown over the Harris Saddle on the Routeburn, and parts of the Kepler and Milford Track due to flooding, with costs covered by the department, he said.
"In terms of climate, we live in a bit of a volatile area so people have to be prepared."
The Dumpling Hut in Milford Track recorded 988mm of rain over a 31-day period, including 235mm in just four days.
On Stewart Island, Dale Chittenden, Doc programme manager for visitor and historic assets, said about 2500 people would complete the Rakiura Track this "fairly busy"season.
Mr Chittenden said a recent incident involved an "international visitor" at a full North Arm hut, who insisted his pack have a mattress: that is, one mattress for himself and another for his pack.
Needless to say, the other guests were not amused at this demand.
Queenstown-based company Ultimate Hikes has a concession to take 24 people a day for the Routeburn Track and 50 people a day for the Milford Track, and provided its own lodge accommodation.
"Numbers have been very good," sales and marketing co-ordinator Jemma Knowles said.
The majority of their clients were from overseas, and often had a different perception of wilderness walks, with some people wanting to be flown over parts of the walk, or to return to the same lodge each night.
Great Walks
- Routeburn Track, three-day 32km easy tramping track.
It extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and State Highway 94, the Te Anau Milford road, through the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts or camp sites on the Routeburn Track. There are no fees for park entry.
- Milford Track, four-day 53.5km easy tramping track.
It starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishes at Milford Sound, taking you through Fiordland National Park.
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts on the Milford Track. There are no fees for park entry or to complete a day walk on the track.
- Kepler Track, three- to four-day 60km easy tramping track. Through the Fiordland National Park.
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts or camp sites on the Kepler Track. There are no fees for park entry.
- Rakiura Track, a three-day 36km easy tramping walk taking you through the Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island.
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts and camp sites on the Rakiura Great Walk. There are no fees for park entry.
- The Great Walks are Doc's premier walking tracks, and include Lake Waikaremoana, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Whanganui Journey, Abel Tasman Coast Track and the Heaphy Track.
Source: Doc
